Learning to play Nevsky with Volko Ruhnke & Sam from Lord of the Board

[@LordoftheBoard]

Absolute blast of a time Fred! Thank you so much for having me :)

[@HomoLudens1871]

I hope it’s the first stream of a long series!

[@KokoLeMakak]

What a great video, Fred ! Very lively and informative ! it unfolds like a drama and that's exactly why I like heavy games. (and thank you for your kind words at the beginning of your video)

[@HomoLudens1871]

MERCI!

[@thomaskaplan4898]

I love this game and this series! Thank you so much for the livestream! It was an excellent video.

[@HomoLudens1871]

Our pleasure!

[@jeremysherwood8627]

This was very fun to watch. Thanks to Fred, Sam, and Volko! I'm nearing the end of my first solo playthrough of the full campaign, and really enjoying the game. It's nice to have some confirmation here that I've been getting the basic rules right, at least. It's taken me a lot of work to learn the rules (I'm about as new to wargaming as Sam is), but I'm thankful for the pay off. There is still so much strategy to learn. I also enjoy the story it tells as events unfold. And of course, learning some history! All in all, a great game, and I'm sure I will be picking up some more games in the series down the road.

[@HomoLudens1871]

Hey Jeremy, thanks for the kind words, very happy that you enjoyed the stream. We should have a part 2 soon to cover the levy phase and a second campaign.

[@nikosskordos6821]

Excellent! Just in time when I am ready for my first play!

[@HomoLudens1871]

Rock on! And note that part 2 of the teach & play will happen this Sunday!

[@Haytidaho]

In this genre, I went for "Inferno" . Main reason: my passion for Italy. But this one looks neat too 😊

[@HomoLudens1871]

Nevsky is very neat, we will also cover Plantagenet in the near future!

[@gerardmulder7656]

I enjoyed that much. Looking forward to the Flanders Dutch and scotish editions of levy and campaign. I can see them in my minds eye. But first Nevsky! Expecting it in the mail on Thursday.

[@HomoLudens1871]

Haha, those themes will eventually be covered by the series I guess. If you enjoyed this stream, I recommend watching us live playing part 2 this Sunday!

[@volkoruhnke26]

Thank you! A volume set in Scotland at least is indeed in work - though some years away from production.

[@mutres90]

Just incredible! Can’t wait for part 2

[@HomoLudens1871]

Me too! Should be on the 8th...

[@hurrlipurr]

Absolutely great! What a tremendous game system. Thank you so much for this detailed walkthrough. I have ordered my copy right now and hope it will get printed sometimes soon.

[@HomoLudens1871]

Glad I could help and I hope you'll have fun with the game!

[@rbaynosa]

my fave atm! really captures the nuance of medieval warfare very well

[@HomoLudens1871]

Yes it's beautiful!

[@rbaynosa]

@@HomoLudens1871 but I did read a review which said that the fantastic operational mechanics are undone by the mini battles which are just too random. Personally, I feel the mini battles are evocative of the chaotic warfare of the era, but I do get the reviewer's point also. What would be your stand on this and also Volko's reaction, if you can get him to reply.

[@volkoruhnke26]

@@rbaynosa Hi! Thanks for watching and for playing and for the feedback! The battles are quite random, with few player decisions to make once battle is joined. So that is a fair criticism of game play. As you point out, medieval commanders tended to be reluctant to commit to field battle, because they lost most of their control over their troops once the fight was on. The Levy & Campaign Series seeks to focus on the operational level of medieval warfare. So it provides deep strategy over raising and maneuvering armies, with hopefully quick and evocative if not particularly deep recreation of individual battles. Cheers! Volko

[@rbaynosa]

@@volkoruhnke26 thank you for the direct reply, and I agree with your perspective. I particularly asked this because I feel Nevsky is a game I can introduce to the heavy euro players in my game group. However, I am afraid the chaotic nature of the mini battles might be a particular turn off. Do you have a L&C discord where I can join and probably share some ideas and variants that might help in this regard? Would love to connect with the wider L&C community and exchange ideas .

[@jeremysherwood8627]

One question: When Hermann went down to do battle with Gavrilo, could he not have taken only one provender to remain unladen? He was sharing one cart from Yaroslav for a total of two carts for the first march action, but then he left Yaroslav behind and marched the rest of the way on his own.

[@HomoLudens1871]

Yes you're right, in the confusion of all the movements we didn't see it but yes, only one provender for the last leg, so the other should have been dropped.

[@jeremysherwood8627]

@@HomoLudens1871 Good, thanks for the confirmation.

[@LordoftheBoard]

That was for sure the most confusing move I made! I am feeling more ready for round two to get the provender dropping right.

[@michaelcoughlan5727]

thanks gents great stuff. push onwards Volko looking forward to Saladin

[@HomoLudens1871]

You’re welcome Michael. Happy you enjoyed it.

[@erichchaves]

Hi fred! hope all is well with you. What would you rate the complexity level for this game? Beginner friendly you think?

[@HomoLudens1871]

It's definitely not the simplest kind of wargame, but the core sequence is not that complex, so if you are interested in the topic it is manageable. Also the quick start scenario that we play here makes it very easy to get into the system.

[@erichchaves]

@@HomoLudens1871 thank you for the quick reply! Game looks awesome. Love your channel my friend. You are doing a great job at promoting this great hobby.

[@HomoLudens1871]

@@erichchaves Thanks a lot Erich, that means a lot and glad I could help.

[@elqord.1118]

Oh and one question: Will you do a similar video for Almoravid? That would be fantastic

[@HomoLudens1871]

We're planning one for this fall, just wanted to focus on otter games first.

[@elqord.1118]

@@HomoLudens1871 Awesome, just discovered your channel. Love your sense of humor. Subbed!

[@HomoLudens1871]

@@elqord.1118 Well thanks for the sub' ! If you like Levy & Campaign expect some semi-regular content on the series, planning on covering all the releases.

[@АлександрИлюшин-ч6ш]

Thank you for the excellent tutorial and readiness to talk about game with Russian flavor in time when many russian-related things are cancelled. Being a fan of Volko Runke's games, I am now absolutely convinced that game is great and I've just ordered the game. Alexander Nevsky is Othodox saint in Russia and I do believe that this game is an absolutely must have for all Russian wargamers and fans of history.

[@HomoLudens1871]

I'm not big on "cancelling", I am happy that you enjoyed the video and I hope you'll have fun with this wonderful game.

[@kame_kura]

I don't see see an option for Klingon subtitles, does that mean there were no rules mistakes? :-)

[@HomoLudens1871]

Not that we have seen no ;) - If you find something let me know.

[@erichchaves]

Do you have to feed troops for every move or jus in the end of the command card? Example: Let's say I want to move three times with my command card...do I pay 3 provender? Thank you!

[@HomoLudens1871]

At the end of the command card, every lord that fought or moved needs to feed their troops.

[@erichchaves]

@@HomoLudens1871 Thanks my friend! I just got the game so i’m learning the rules 👌🏼👌🏼

[@elqord.1118]

In contrast to this Almoravid has too many wrinkles. Nevsky has more logistics but everything else is so clean. I wish there was one game that is even lighter so it can be used as a easier way to learn the basics of this system

[@HomoLudens1871]

Only scratched the surface or Almoravid, planning on playing it more soon. But I quite like the "purity" of Nevsky and its cool operational puzzle.